Drive for a toy vehicle

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a drive for a toy vehicle and a toy vehicle having such a drive. Basically, the drive comprises a drive axle, a coupling member and an elastically stretchable drive cord. When the drive axle is rotated in one predetermined direction thereof the coupling member will engage the cord drive causing it to be stretched and wound about the drive axle. The wound cord is then allowed to unwind from about the axle to thereby cause the drive axle to rotate in the opposite direction. Once the cord drive has been unwound it is released from the coupling member.

United States Patent Walter Lechner Siegelsdorf near Nurnberg;

Franz Eberle, Nurnberg, both of, Germany [21] Appl. No. 5,496

[72] lnventors [22] Filed Jan. 26, 1970 Division of Ser. No. 776,641, Nov. 18, 1968 451 Patented Aug. 31, 1971 73] Assignees llelmut Brosa Furth, Bavaria,

. Helno Stelter Furth, Bavaria, Germany [32] Priority Oct. 29, 1968 [33] Germany [31] P18 05820.3

[54] DRIVE FOR A TOY VEHICLE 11 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

Primary ExaminerLouis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-D. L. Weinhold Att0rney-Spencer & Kaye ABSTRACT: This invention relates to a drive for a toy vehicle and a toy vehicle having such a drive. Basically, the drive comprises a drive axle, a coupling member and an elastically stretchable drive cord. When the drive axle is rotated in one predetermined direction thereof the coupling member will engage the cord drive causing it to be stretched and wound about the drive axle. The wound cord is then allowed to unwind from about the axle to thereby cause the drive axle to rotate in the opposite direction. Once the cord drive has been unwound it is released from the coupling member.

PATENIEU M18 1 H 13,601. 92d

sum 1 [IF 3 INVENTORS.

Walter lLech r BY Franz Ebe ATTORNEYS.

PATENTED M331 1971 3,601,924

SHEET 2 OF 3 mvmmns Wclrer Lechner BY Franz Eberle ATTOR NEYS.

PATENTEBAUB31 19?;

SHEET 3 BF 3 mvumons. Walter Lechner Franz Eberle 4 M/ f Q/% ATTORNEYS.

DRIVE FOR A TOY VEHICLE The present application is a division of US. application Ser. No. 776,641.

This invention relates to a drive for a toy vehicle, in particular a toy motor car, and also to toy vehicles having such a drive.

According to the present invention there is provided a drive for a toy vehicle, such drive comprising a drive axle, an elastically stretchable drive cord, and a coupling member, said coupling member being fixed to the drive axle and provided with a hook-shaped protuberance located thereon, such protuberance being adapted to engage the said cord drive during rotation of said axle in one direction thereof to stretch the said drive cord and wind it about the drive axle whereby the wound cord is capable of unwinding from the axle to drive the axle in a direction opposite to the said one direction, said drive cord being released by the said protuberance once it has been unwound from the drive axle, said axle being adapted to be horizontally displaced between first and second positions by means being adapted to displace said axle toward the first position during rotation of the axle in said one direction to allow the said hook-shaped protuberance to engage the drive cord, said means being adapted to displace the drive axle toward the second position after unwinding of the cord from about the said axle to disengage the said hook-shaped protuberance from the said cord drive.

Illustrative embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the lower portion of a toy motor car having one form of drive arranged therein;

wheel arrangement, of the toy motor car according to FIGS.

and 6,

FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of a section of a preferably used drive cord;

FIG. 9 shows an illustration, corresponding to FIG. 1, of a further form of drive;

FIG. shows an illustration corresponding to FIG. 2, of the last-mentioned form of embodiment, and;

FIG. 11 shows a view, corresponding substantially to FIG..

I0, and showing also a braking device adjustable against the coupling member.

In the drawings, the same or corresponding structural elements have been given the same reference numerals.

Referring now to the drawings there is shown the lower portion of a vehicle body having a front axle 30 mounted therein. The axle 30 carries the front wheels 2. At the rear of body portion 1a the drive axle 4 carrying the rear wheels 3 is mounted. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawings, an obliquely extending slot 6 is formed in bearings 5 for the drive axle, the drive axle 4 being displaceable within this slot. Fast, and therefore nonrotatably arranged, on the drive axle 4, in the center thereof, is a coupling member (designated 7 as a whole) preferably in the form of an injection moulded plastics member and consisting of a sleeve 8 and three sickle-shaped protuberances 9 projecting radially from the sleeve 8. The protuberances 9 form catching hooks for a drive cord 10 which is entirely accommodated within the vehicle body and tensioned therein.

The drive cord 10 is secured at one of its ends to a pinshaped projection 11 arranged on the lower portion I and at its other end to a structural element (designated 12 as a whole), in such manner that there is a cord section 10' extending in the vicinity of the drive axle 4, and parallel thereto FIGS. 2 to 4 show various details of the drive shown in FIG.

(FIG. 1). This cord end 10' is herein below called the working end. In order to accommodate the largest possible length of cord in the vehicle body, the cord isguided to and fro over guide rollers 13 mounted in the forward portion of the vehicle.

The structural element 112 which, like the pin II and other parts which are fast with the lower portion I (preferably made from plastics material) may be molded on to the lower portion I, has at its side facing the drive axle 4 an oblique portion 114 extending from its upper side. The purpose of this is to prevent the working end of the working cord II) from slipping off upwardly from the structural element 12. As can be seen from FIGS. l to 3, the structural element 12 comprises a cavity I5 which is bridged by the working end 10' of the drive cord and in which the sickle-shaped prolonging portions 9 of the coupling member are able to engage (FIGS. 2 and 3). From the upper side of the structural element I2 there extends downwardly a strip 16 behind which, as FIG. 3 shows, the catching hooks 9 are able to engage.

Arranged on to an upper portion 17 (preferably made from plastics material) of the toy motor car shown in FIGS. 1 to 4,

externally on each side, is a substantially horizontally extending rocker member 18 which extends over oneend, extending out of the vehicle body, of the drive axle 4, and is adapted to be bent over upwardly, thus producing an elastic restoring force. The bending-over is limited by a stop 19 attached on the lower portion 11 of the vehicle.

The mode of operation of the toy motor car shown in FIGS. I to 4 is as follows:

In the freewheeling position (shown in FIG. I) of the drive axle 4, the toy vehicle is able to move without the drive axle 4 passing into an operative connection with the drive cord 10. If, then, the vehicle is pushed manually (with exertion of a pressure directed towards the support surface on the rearward portion of the vehicle body) towards the rear, then the drive axle 4 is displaced in the bearing slot 6. In this way, the drive axle 4 approaches the working end 10' of the working cord II) to such an extent that one of the catching hooks 9 engages and entrains the working end 10 (FIG. 2). Since the coupling member 7 rotates with the drive axle 4, the cord I0 is woundon about the drive axle 4 and in this way tensioned. In proportion as the tension in the drive cord increases, the vehicle body requires to be pressed more strongly against the supporting surface, in order that the back wheels 3 will not be able to skid. The drive shaft 4 is consequently displaced progressively towards the upper end of the bearing slot 6 and the final result of this is that one of the catching hooks 9 engages behind the strip I6 on the structural element 12 and impinges there against (FIG. 3). The drive cord can then no longer be woundon about the drive axle. In this manner, it is ensured that the drive cord may not, during the tensioning of the drive, be stretched beyond its elasticity limit and thereby ruptured.

The displacement of the drive axle 4 in the direction towards the upper end of the bearing slot 6 also results in the drive axle being pressed against the rocker member 18 provided on both sides of the vehicle body. The resilient restoring force thereby produced in the rocker member exerts a compression force on the axle 4, endeavouring to displace the axle downwardly once again in the slot 6. This compression force does not, however, become effective until the hand is removed from the vehicle body and a force directed towards the supporting surface is no longer exerted thereon. Atthis instant, the drive axle 4 is pressed downwardly within the vehicle body. In this way, the catching hooks 9 pass out of operative range of the stop strip 16 and the drive cord 10 is able to unwind from the drive axle. During unwinding, due to the tension of the drive cord 10, there is exerted on the drive axle 4 a torque which imparts a forwardly directed impulse to the vehicle. As soon as the drive cord has been entirely wound-off, the coupling between the drive axle 4 and the drive cord 10 is released and the vehicle is able to move by freewheeling. The freewheeling position of the drive axle 4 shown in FIG. I is achieved due to the pressure of the two rocker members 13 on the axle. The double arrow'shown in FIG. 3 is intended to illustrate the displaceability of the drive axle.

In order that the rear wheels 3 will not be able to skid on the support surface, they are expediently provided with a friction covering 20.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 differs from the above-described embodiment in that the drive axle 4 is displaceable in vertical slots 6 formed in the bearings 5. The two rocker members 18 are replaced by two helical springs 21 which are vertically arranged in the interior of the vehicle and which fulfill the same function as the rocker members of the first embodiment. The springs 21 are disposed on guide pins 22 which are connected with the upper portion of the vehicle and beyond which their lower ends project. At this end, the springs are wound more narrowly than in the remaining zone, so as to prevent lateral bending over of the lower spring ends.

Provided in the vehicle body, in the vicinity of the drive axle 4, are guide means (designed as vertically extending rollers 23) for the drive cord which on winding-on of the cord about the drive axle deflect the cord inwardly (FIG. 5). The object of this is to avoid disturbances which might result if the cord were to wind itself on to a point near the axle ends. For the same purpose, there are provided on the drive axle flanges 34 which may be formed in one piece with the coupling member. The structural element 12 provided in the case of the 1 first described embodiment is replaced by two pins 25 arranged in spaced relationship and extending upwardly from the bottom of the lower portion 1 of thevehicle, the pins each having a projecting portion 26 which extends towards the drive axle and under which the working end of the drive cord engages. In order to maintain a torque which is as constant as possible, in the drive phase during the unwinding of the drive cord, the sleeve 8 of the coupling member on which the drive cord 10 winds on has sectors which taper conically towards the axle ends. V I

To avoid over-stretching or rupturing of the drive cord, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 the drive cord is made for example from rubber having an extensible covering 38, preferably formed by spinning textile material about the cord and the maximum extension of which is below the elasticity limit of the cord. A section of a this of this kind is shown in FIG. 8. After 'i certain degree of lengthening of the cord, the covering has attained its maximum stretch or extension and it then opposes an adequate degree of resistance to further extension or stretching of the cord. It is clear that the covering must have adequate tearing strength, in order that the aforementioned resistance may become effective. Materials which are suitable, since they may be permanently (i.e. nonelastically) stretched up to a predetermined limit and then oppose to further stretching a resistance which corresponds to their teraring strength, are adequately known.

The manipulation of the toy motor car shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 is the same as in the case of the toy motor car according to FIGS. 1 to 4.

The essential difference between the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 and the two previously described embodiments resides in the fact that the drive axle 4 is now mounted for horizontal displacement. For this purpose, there are formed in the bearings 5 for the drive axle 4 and also at those points at which the drive axle extends laterally out of the vehicle body, corresponding recesses 24 or 35 permitting horizontal displacement of the drive axle relatively to the vehicle body. The double arrow shown in FIG. 9 is intended to indicate this displaceability. In this embodiment, the adhesion between the rear wheels 3 and the supporting surface is made use of in order to achieve displacement of the drive axle out of the f freewheeling position (FIG. 9) into the drive position (FIG.

10). The same applies to the. restoring of the drive axle out of the drive position after the unwinding of the drive cord into the freewheeling position. In this case, therefore, no means comparable with the rocker members 18 and the helical springs 21 and serving for the restoring of the drive axle out of the driving position into the freewheeling position are necessary. The manipulation of the vehicle is also simpler to the extent that, for the coupling of the drive axle 4 with the drive cord 10, it is merely necessary to push the vehicle. rearwardly,

by hand, without it being necessary to press the vehicle especially strongly against the supporting surface. On displacement of the vehicle rearwardly, the drive axle 4 is shifted, within the vehicle body, for such a distance forwardly until it impinges against the forwardly disposed edge 24' or 35' of the recesses 24 to 35. The drive axle is then in that position wherein the sickle-shaped catching hooks 9, disposed on the axle, of the coupling member are able to engage the working end 10 of the drive cord.

In order to avoid skidding of the rear wheel 3 on tensioning the drive, there may be associated with the drive axle 4 a brake which, after being locked, prevents the unwinding of the cord. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the brake is justed against the coupling member 7 disposed on the drive axle and which is adapted to be swung out about the bearing 37 in the direction of the arrow. The actuating arm 36' of the lever extends out of the rearward end of the vehicle body. The working arm 36" may be put into engagement with a locking hook 28 which is provided on the coupling member 7 and which, like the catching hook 9, is sickle-shaped but has a curvature extending oppositely relatively thereto. By impingement of the locking hook 28 againstthe underside of the working arm 36" of the lever 36, further rotation of the drive axle 4, and therewith unwinding of the drive cord from the axle, is prevented. The brake or locking means is released as soon as the lever 36 has been pivoted in the direction of the arrow, whereupon the resistance previously opposed to the unwinding of the drive cord 10 from the axle 4 is eliminated. The end cooperating with the locking hook 28 of the lever arm 36" is expediently designed to be resilient to such an extent that the said end is, in the braking position, on the one hand pressed against the coupling member and, on the other hand, able to deflect sufiiciently, when pressure is applied by the back of the sickle-shaped protuberances 9 and 28 of the coupling member, to prevent rotation of the coupling member during winding-on of the working cord. A springing arrangement of this kind may be achieved by designing the end of the working arm36" of the lever 36 as a thin tongue.

We claim:

l. A drive for a to vehicle, such-drive comprising a drive axle, an elastically stretchable drive cord, and a coupling member, said coupling'member being permanently fixed to the drive axle and provided with a hook-shaped protuberance located thereon, such protuberance being adapted to engage directly the said cord drive during rotation of'said axle in one direction thereof to stretch the said drive cord and wind it about the drive axle whereby the wound cord is capable of unwinding from the axle to drive the axle in a direction opposite to the said one direction, said drive cord being released by the said protuberance once it has been unwound from the drive axle, said axle being adapted to be horizontally displaced in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between first and second positions by means being adapted to displace said axle toward the first position during rotation of the axle in said one direction to allow the said hook-shaped protuberance to engage the drive cord, said mean being adapted to displace the drive axle toward the second position after unwinding of the cord from about the said axle to disengage the said hookshaped protuberance from the said cord drive.

2. A drive for a toy vehicle, such drive comprising a drive axle, an elastically stretchable drive cord, a coupling member and means for preventing the cord being overstretched, the said coupling member being adapted to operatively connect the drive cord with the drive axle during rotation of the drive axle in one direction thereof to stretch the said drive cord and wind it about the drive axle whereby the wound cord is capable of unwinding from the axle to drive the axle in a direction opposite to the said one direction and the coupling member being further adapted to disengage the drive cord and drive axle once the cord has been unwound from the drive axle, said preventing means comprising an extendable covering over the drive cord.

3. A drive according to claim 2 in which the said covering is a textile material wound about said cord and arranged to limit the maximum extension of the cord.

4. A drive for a toy vehicle, such drive comprising a drive axle, an elastically stretchable drive cord, a coupling member and guide means for the drive cord, said coupling member being adapted to operatively connect the drive cord with the drive axle during rotation of the drive axle in one direction thereof to stretch the said drive cord and wind it about the drive axle whereby the wound cord is capable of unwinding from the axle to drive the axle in a direction opposite to the said one direction and the coupling member being further adapted to disengage the drive cord and drive axle once the cord has been unwound from the drive axle, said guide means being arranged adjacent the drive axle for deflecting the said cord inwardly during winding of the cord on the drive axle.

5. A drive according to claim 4 wherein the guide means are vertically arranged rollers.

6 A drive for a toy vehicle, such drive comprising a drive axle, an elastically stretchable drive cord, a coupling member and brake means, said coupling member being adapted to be releasably engageable with the said drive cord such that the said coupling member engages the said drive cord during rotation of the said drive axle in one direction thereof to stretch the said drive cord and wind it about the drive axle whereby the wound cord is capable of unwinding from the axle to drive the axle in a direction opposite to the said one direction and that the coupling member releases the drive cord once it has been unwound from the said drive axle, said brake means being arranged for selectively engaging said coupling member for preventing the cord being unwound from the drive axle.

7. A drive cord according to claim 6, in which the brake means is in the form of a lever, said lever being adapted to engage the coupling member to prevent rotational movement of the drive axle.

8. A drive according to claim 7, in which the coupling member includes a locking hook, said locking hook being adapted to engage the said lever.

9. A drive according to claim 8, in which the locking hook has a curved shape, the curvature thereof being opposite to the curvature of the said protuberance of the coupling member.

10. A drive according to claim 9, in which the lever includes a resilient braking portion, said braking portion being adapted in the braking position thereof to prevent rotation of the said axle in the said opposite direction but permit rotation of the axle in the said one direction.

1 l. A toy vehicle including a drive, which comprises a drive axle, an elastically stretchable drive cord, and a coupling member, said coupling member being fixed to the drive axle and provided with the hook-shaped protuberance located thereon, such protuberance being adapted to engage the said cord drive during rotation of said axle in one direction thereof to stretch the said drive cord and wind it about the drive axle whereby the wound cord is capable of unwinding from the axle to drive the axle in a direction opposite to the said one direction, said drive cord being released by the said protuberance once it has been unwound from the drive axle, said axle being adapted to be horizontally displaced between first and second positions by means being adapted to displace said axle toward the first position during rotation of the axle in said one direction to allow the said hook-shaped protuberance to engage the drive cord, said means being adapted to displace the drive axle toward the second position after unwinding of the cord from about the said axle to disengage the said hookshaped protuberance from the said cord. drive. 

1. A drive for a to vehicle, such drive comprising a drive axle, an elastically stretchable drive cord, and a coupling member, said coupling member being permanently fixed to the drive axle and provided with a hook-shaped protuberance located thereon, such protuberance being adapted to engage directly the said cord drive during rotation of said axle in one direction thereof to stretch the said drive cord and wind it about the drive axle whereby the wound cord is capable of unwinding from the axle to drive the axle in a direction opposite to the said one direction, said drive cord being released by the said protuberance once it has been unwound from the drive axle, said axle being adapted to be horizontally displaced in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between first and second positions by means being adapted to displace said axle toward the first position during rotation of the axle in said one direction to allow the said hook-shaped protuberance to engage the drive cord, said mean being adapted to displace the drive axle toward the second position after unwinding of the cord from about the said axle to disengage the said hook-shaped protuberance from the said cord drive.
 2. A drive for a toy vehicle, such drive comprising a drive axle, an elastically stretchable drive cord, a coupling member and means for preventing the cord being overstretched, the said coupling member being adapted to operatively connect the drive cord with the drive axle during rotation of the drive axle in one direction thereof to stretch the said drive cord and wind it about the drive axle whereby the wound cord is capable of unwinding from the axle to drive the axle in a direction opposite to the said one direction and the coupling member being further adapted to disengage the drive cord and drive axle once the cord has been unwound from the drive axle, said preventing means comprising an extendable covering over the drive cord.
 3. A drive according to claim 2 in which the said covering is a textile material wound about said cord and arranged to limit the maximum extension of the cord.
 4. A drive for a toy vehicle, such drive comprising a drive axle, an elastically stretchable drive cord, a coupling member and guide means for the drive cord, said coupling member being adapted to operatively connect the drive cord with the drive axle during rotation of the drive axle in one direction thereof to stretch the said drive cord and wind it about the drive axle whereby the wound cord is capable of unwinding from the axle to drive the axle in a direction opposite to the said one direction and the coupling member being further adapted to disengage the drive cord and drive axle once the cord has been unwound from the drive axle, said guide means being arranged adjacent the drive axle for deflecting the said cord inwardly during winding of the cord on the drive axle.
 5. A drive according to claim 4 wherein the guide means are vertically arranged rollers. 6 A drive for a toy vehicle, such drive comprising a drive axle, an elastically stretchable drive cord, a coupling member and brake means, said coupling member being adapted to be releasably engageable with the said drive cord such that the said coupling member engages the said drive cord during rotation of the said drive axle in one direction thereof to stretch the said drive cord and wind it about the drive axle whereby the wound cord is capable of unwinding from the axle to drive the axle in a direction opposite to the said one direction and that the coupling member releases the drive cord once it has been unwound from the said drive axle, said brake means being arranged for selectively engaging said coupling member for preventing the cord being unwound frOm the drive axle.
 7. A drive cord according to claim 6, in which the brake means is in the form of a lever, said lever being adapted to engage the coupling member to prevent rotational movement of the drive axle.
 8. A drive according to claim 7, in which the coupling member includes a locking hook, said locking hook being adapted to engage the said lever.
 9. A drive according to claim 8, in which the locking hook has a curved shape, the curvature thereof being opposite to the curvature of the said protuberance of the coupling member.
 10. A drive according to claim 9, in which the lever includes a resilient braking portion, said braking portion being adapted in the braking position thereof to prevent rotation of the said axle in the said opposite direction but permit rotation of the axle in the said one direction.
 11. A toy vehicle including a drive, which comprises a drive axle, an elastically stretchable drive cord, and a coupling member, said coupling member being fixed to the drive axle and provided with the hook-shaped protuberance located thereon, such protuberance being adapted to engage the said cord drive during rotation of said axle in one direction thereof to stretch the said drive cord and wind it about the drive axle whereby the wound cord is capable of unwinding from the axle to drive the axle in a direction opposite to the said one direction, said drive cord being released by the said protuberance once it has been unwound from the drive axle, said axle being adapted to be horizontally displaced between first and second positions by means being adapted to displace said axle toward the first position during rotation of the axle in said one direction to allow the said hook-shaped protuberance to engage the drive cord, said means being adapted to displace the drive axle toward the second position after unwinding of the cord from about the said axle to disengage the said hook-shaped protuberance from the said cord drive. 